All we are saying is give Greece a chance

All we are saying is give Greece a chance

All we are saying is give Greece a chance

The European Union’s demand that Greece continue with the catastrophic austerity policies of the past five years flies in the face of democracy and sound economics. The Greek people in democratic elections decisively rejected these policies, which have led to a 26% shrinking of the economy, 27% unemployment and 40% of the population on the poverty line. A continuation of austerity will jeopardise the future of the EU and betray principles of democracy, prosperity and solidarity. It risks fuelling the rise of extreme anti-democratic forces in Greece and elsewhere. We urge the European leadership to respect the decision of the Greek people and to give the new government breathing space to reverse the humanitarian crisis and start the necessary reconstruction of the country’s devastated economy.